Member groups

See below a brief description of all our member groups. To get involved, please contact one of the Secretariat contacts listed.

Benchmark Steering Group

The group are responsible for policy and management issues concerning the Benchmark scheme. It is promoted by HHIC on behalf of members, aims to raise standards in installation, commissioning and servicing. Membership of the group is drawn from appliance manufacturers, service providers and certification bodies. Notable achievements include the recent expansion of the scheme to gas fire manufacturers, and ensuring that it is now mandatory to record gas boiler carbon monoxide and combustion-ratio readings at the commissioning stage. The work of the group, through the scheme, supports Building Regulation compliance. This group is chaired by Lee Robinson, BAXI. Secretariat contacts: Neil Macdonald 01926 513746 and Stewart Clements 01926 513744.

Installation, Service & Training (IST)

Group membership is diverse, and includes Certification Bodies, service/maintenance organisations, appliance/equipment manufacturers and industry associations. Technical content, such as changes to gas utilisation standards which may impact on field-based activity are a focus area, alongside operative competence and accreditation. The core activity of the group has been expanded in recent times to also consider the mid to long-term implications on field activity, considering policy issues and factors such as changing gas quality. The group provides input into important industry forums through HHIC including the Standards Consultation Forum (SCF), the IGEM Gas Utilisation Council (GUC) and Renewable Energy Skills Forum (RESF). This group is chaired by Danny McFarlane, British Gas. Secretariat contacts: Neil Macdonald 01926 513746 and Steve Sutton 01926 513745.

Boiler Group

Membership is drawn from UK boiler and air-heater manufacturers. The group work together to consider and address a wide range of issues impacting on the boiler market including political legislation and European policy. This allows the group to speak through HHIC as a collective industry sector, not just individually. The group work closely with the Boiler Technical Group. Sub groups of the Boiler Group can be set up to focus on particular issues. HHIC activity includes a close working relationship with the European Heating Industry (EHI) with regards to European policy. This group is chaired by Elaine Lancaster, Ideal Boilers (Group Atlantic). Secretariat Contacts: Neil Macdonald 01926 513746, Steve Sutton 01926 513745 and Stewart Clements 01926 513744.

Boiler Technical Panel

Membership is drawn from UK boiler and air-heater manufacturers. The group work together to consider and address a wide range of issues impacting on boiler production, certification and maintenance. This allows the group to speak through HHIC as a collective industry sector. There is a clear focus on technical activity, such as UK and CEN standards and European legislation which impact the group’s products, as well as the political landscape which can affect product design and characteristics. The group work closely with the Boiler Manufacturers Group, but have historically also liaised though HHIC with other member groups to co-ordinate industry activity, ie introducing the requirements of TB 143, which standardised a method of verifying safe appliance combustion at the commissioning stage. This group is chaired by Martyn Bridges, Bosch Thermotechnology Ltd. Secretariat contacts: Neil Macdonald 01926 513746 and Steve Sutton 01926 513745.

Water Treatment Group

This group consists primarily of product manufacturers, encompassing water treatment chemicals, system filters, cleansing equipment and water softeners (amongst others). In the past the group has agreed generic guidance on the importance of various water treatment measures. WTG members who manufacture chemicals for central heating (CH) systems adopt the Benchmark brand for their products, which helps emphasise the importance of water-treatment and assists installers in complying with the requirements of the Building Regulations (Part L). This group is chaired by Simon Harpin, BEAMA. Secretariat contacts: Neil Macdonald 01926 513746 and Steve Sutton 01926 513745.

HHIC/ICOM Components and Controls Group

This group brings together both HHIC and ICOM members with a shared interest in combustion and safety control devices. Standardisation in this field is particularly active, with both CEN and ISO standards in constant development. Members of the group are able to receive updates and input towards the various drafts before publication. Policy issues which can impact the group are also considered, such as the forthcoming implementation of the Gas Appliances Regulation (GAR), which will require CE marking of “fittings”, and revised product certification. This group is chaired by Mark Jones, Honeywell. Secretariat contacts: Neil Macdonald 011926 513746 and Steve Sutton 01926 513745.

Gas Fire Group

Membership is drawn from Gas Fire manufacturers that sell products in the UK but may manufacture products in other countries. The group includes manufacturer’s of commercial gas fired local space heaters. The group work closely together to consider and address a wide range of issues impacting on the industry, including European policy but with a clear focus on promoting the industry. The committee is also responsible for giving direction to the Gas Fire Technical panel. This activity allows the group to speak through HHIC as a collective industry sector. This group is chaired by Richard Beaman, Glen Dimplex. Secretariat contacts: Neil Macdonald 01926 513746 and Steve Sutton 01926 513745.

Micro CHP Group

Membership is drawn from the micro CHP manufacturers that sell products in the UK but may manufacture products in other countries. The group work closely together to consider and address a wide range of issues impacting on the industry including political legislation. There is a clear focus on promoting the industry. The committee is also responsible for giving direction for the micro CHP Technical panel. This group is chaired by Paul Needley, Enertek. Secretariat contacts: Steve Sutton 01926 513745 and Stewart Clements 01926 513744.

Micro CHP Technical Panel

Membership is drawn from micro CHP manufacturers that sell products in the UK but may manufacture products in other countries The group work together to consider and address a wide range of issues impacting on production and certification. There is a clear focus on technical activity, such as UK and CEN standards which impact the group’s products.
The technical panel takes direction from the micro CHP Group. This group is chaired by Paul Gibson, British Gas. Secretariat contacts: Neil Macdonald 01926 513746 and Steve Sutton 01926 513745.

Smart Connected Homes & Buildings Group

With many data, communication and energy automation system providers developing building and home automation systems, the development of new technology to meet customer demands and EU regulations is high on the agenda. The scope of the group includes all aspects of Smart Metering data, communications, data protection, security and privacy and Supervisory Control & Data Acquisition Systems (SCADA). This group includes members from all divisions of EUA - the remit of the group has been expanded to include Smart Grid and Smart Energy including related areas such as:
• Smart Homes and Buildings
• Smart Cities
• The Internet of Things (IoT)
• Electric Vehicles, Renewables
• CHP, Micro Generation
• Local Feed In and Energy Storage
This group is chaired by Ian Campbell, Ferranti Computer Systems NV. Secretariat contacts: Stewart Clements 01926 513744 and Gary Cottrell 01926 513764.

Heat Policy Group

The HHIC Heat Policy Group is a useful forum to review current and upcoming government policy and regulation. The group discusses how these may affect businesses in the heating industry and helps formulate HHIC responses to any issues or consultations. The group regularly hears from Government speakers and associated industries on initiatives that will be of interest to them. Secretariat contact: Isaac Occhipinti 01926 513742.

Gas Fire Technical Panel

Membership is drawn from Gas Fire manufacturers that sell products in the UK but may also manufacture products in other countries. The group work together to consider and address a wide range of issues impacting on gas fire production, certification and maintenance. There is a clear focus on technical activity, such as UK and CEN standards which impact the group's products, as well as the political landscape which can affect product design and characteristics. The group work closely with the Gas Fire Group. This group is chaired by Richard Beaman, Glen Dimplex. Secretariat contacts: Neil Macdonald 01926 513746 and Steve Sutton 01926 513745.

Marketing and Communications

This group brings together Marketing and Communications staff from across the membership and also EUA wider membership. The focus of the group is to ensure that industry messages are succinct and coordinated for maximum impact where possible. The group meets regularly to share marketing campaigns and discuss cross-sector support. HHIC also use this group as a forum to share information relevant to the membership and their marketing objectives.The group is chaired by Julian Furbank, Teddington Group. Secretariat contacts: Isaac Occhipinti 01926 513742 and Laurah Hutchinson-Strain 01926 513743.

HHIC Hybrids

The Hybrid Boiler Group combines the potential benefits of a renewable energy heat pump with the familiarity of a condensing gas combi boiler. Projects include the delivery of Hybrid into SAP with coordinated meetings with Government (BEIS) and the Building Research Establishment (BRE). The group actively creates, writes and promotes Hybrid boilers in the UK press. The Hybrid group activity also feeds into the European Heating Industry (EHI). Secretariat contact: Steve Sutton 01926 513745.

Merchants

HHIC aims to support the complete industry supply chain and membership of the Merchants Group includes heating and plumbing merchants. This group receives regular updates on up and coming regulations helping merchants in future business planning. Members attend a number of meetings every year and are able to hear about potential changes to the supply chain. The group contributes useful and topical articles to the UK Press. The group also has representation on the joint HHIC/BEIS Domestic Heat Strategy Group. Secretariat Contact: Steve Sutton 01926 513745.

Installer Committee

The Installer Committee was formed in 2016 and meet regularly. Whilst HHIC have an established technical group for training and service/install issues, feedback from members identified that there was a real need for a new group to focus on high-level, strategic issues which concern installation and service businesses, none more so than Government policy and consultations. Membership is primarily based on large installation businesses, and is seen to offer an authoritative common voice on matters of importance, particularly when talking to UK Government, and does so in a manner which represents a considerable volume of the new and replacement boiler installation market in the UK today. Secretariat contact: Neil Macdonald 01926 513746.